Tag: Community

Recently we recorded an Upstate HR Podcast episode discussing bereavement and funeral leave policies within organizations and concerns with not enough time or inconsistencies. In the unfortunate event an employee needs to use leave for bereavement or funeral leave, organizations need to have policies and processes in place that ensure consistency throughout the workforce. As family relationships have evolved, so to should our policies and procedures.

The 5 considerations on bereavement and funeral leave:

Notification Process: If an employee needs to take time off for leave, who should they notify and what is the process for approving the time? Should the employee contact their supervisor or the human resources department? Does the supervisor contact a manager or the human resources department? Email, phone, text message, etc.? More than likely the employee will notify their supervisor, but we need to outline the processes in the policy.

Extended Leave: Will we grant extended leave for an employee who needs additional time to cope with the loss or coordinate family affairs? Can the employee use PTO and/or vacation time? Remember, there might be legal issues, funeral planning, estate meetings, etc. that an employee must deal with in relation to the loss. Situations will vary. If the death happens in the winter, will we allow time off in the spring for the burial? These are areas we don’t usually consider but need to recognize. Most organizations are lenient with granting additional time off, but we should outline it in the policy.

Paid Bereavement Leave: This will vary by organization. Organizations might grant unlimited leave to cope with a loss. Other organizations have a set number of days based on the relationship in the family. Below is a simple draft outline to consider as part of your leave policy:

“Employees are allowed up to four consecutive days off from regularly scheduled duty with regular pay in the event of the death of the employee’s spouse, domestic partner, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, father-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or an adult who stood in loco parentis to the employee during childhood.

Employees are allowed one day off from regular scheduled duty with regular pay in the event of death of the employee’s brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, grandparent, grandchild or spouse’s grandparent.

Employees are allowed up to four hours of bereavement leave to attend the funeral of a fellow regular employee or retiree of the company, provided such absence from duty will not interfere with normal operations of the company.”[i]

Relationships in families vary, the policy needs to be flexible, but consistent. Ensure you are providing the needed time off for the workforce.

Providing Documentation: Organizations I have worked for in the past have required notice if an employee does ask for bereavement and funeral leave. We have requested obituary notices; newspaper or website and employees have returned with copies of the funeral documentation. Unfortunately, I have seen employees abuse leave and lie about their need for bereavement leave. If you do require documentation, ensure you are doing so consistently.

Pay Policy: “Bereavement pay is calculated based on the base pay rate at the time of absence, and it will not include any special forms of compensation, such as incentives, commissions, bonuses, overtime or shift differentials.”[ii] Policies will vary; this sentence is short and covers the details.

The loss of a loved one is challenging for anyone. The organizational policies are necessary, but showing compassion and understanding is the most important thing we can do for our workforce. Remember to offer Employee Assistance (EAP) to any employee that is struggling with the loss, as these services provide additional support for our employees and their families. Be consistent and flexible with the policies. Ensure that the policy is reviewed and updated. As always, remember to seek guidance if you need assistance reviewing and updating all policies.

In January of 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) adopted a new primary beneficiary test for determining internships of for-profit employers. Defining internships under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the old and new primary beneficiary test, interns and students might not be defined as employees. Non-employee cases, organizations would not have to compensate these students and interns for work performed, during their time at the internship or for projects they complete. The new test as defined by the courts, is a flexible test, with no single, determining factor. Each case will be reviewed on its unique basis and duties.

The seven factors of primary beneficiary test for unpaid interns and students:

“The extent to which the intern and the employer clearly understand that there is no expectation of compensation. Any promise of compensation, express or implied, suggests that the intern is an employee—and vice versa.

The extent to which the internship provides training that would be similar to that which would be given in an educational environment, including the clinical and other hands-on training provided by educational institutions.

The extent to which the internship is tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.

The extent to which the internship accommodates the intern’s academic commitments by corresponding to the academic calendar.

The extent to which the internship’s duration is limited to the period in which the internship provides the intern with beneficial learning.

The extent to which the intern’s work complements, rather than displaces, the work of paid employees while providing significant educational benefits to the intern.

The extent to which the intern and the employer understand that the internship is conducted without entitlement to a paid job at the conclusion of the internship.”[i]

“We recommend employers get something in writing, preferably with the school as well, that lays out everybody’s expectations,” Orr said. “You’d want to consider having something in writing that says there will be no expectation of compensation, that the internship will be limited to a period of beneficial learning and that there is no promise of a job at the end. If you get acknowledgment of those three things in writing and you follow through on them, you will be in good shape.

If they are in a formal education program, find out if they can get credit for the internship,” Olson agreed. “If the person will get academic credit for the internship, that is very supportive of the internship being to the primary benefit of the intern.”[ii]

Knowledge of local and state legislation is necessary for any HR professional or business owner. Many states follow the old six factor test or have another test, similar to the old six factor test. This means organizations can fall under both federal and state jurisdiction on FLSA legislation and pay vs. unpaid internship obligations. “In those cases, employers must typically follow whichever law is most generous to workers.”[iii]

These changes can impact your organization. Many colleges and universities offer credit for internships, work with the career services office prior to hiring an intern and fully the process. Ensure a contract is in place, agreed upon and expectations are clearly communicated from both the school and workplace. If your organization does hire an intern, provide feedback throughout to both the intern and academic institution. In my experience, there is a feedback evaluation form to complete at the end of the internship, as part of the credit approval process. Students can also be required to write a paper or keep a journal of experiences. If you are confused on the new requirements, seek guidance. Ensure that your organization is compliant under all laws. If you can afford to pay an intern, great. We all see the amounts of debt students are saddled with upon completion graduation and non-completion. However, experience paid or unpaid will add value to both academic and professional opportunities for any student.